Monty West Company Presents Dragonwood Farm

From century to century Dragonwood Farm has been home. Since the courthouse burned in the teens, dating the actual transactions and inhabitants is difficult. Family history and memorabilia is the best record. Built on a Revolutionary War Grant, the house has been dated from 1856 to 1862 depending on which descendent  you talk with. So many of the stories include the activities of slaves that  the earlier date is more likely. Hinges dated from 1856 are still on the front doors. Inscriptions found on the boards of the walls in several rooms such as "This is Gertrude MacDonald's Room, ...1882" stated in childish territorial block print, date back to the late 1800's. 

We know that Lucy MacDonald was born here and died here in 1950 in her 70's. And that her father was also born here and died here when she was fairly young as he pitched hay to the cows from the old barn loft.

In the upstairs hall (one of the few remaining unrestored areas) the walls are papered with old newspapers and later magazines from the 1920's  and the 1940's that once served as insulation. They make fascinating reading on a rainy day.

Center Hill Lake farm paper

Click on picture to enlarge

The terraced lawns falling away to the drive were created by burying giant cedars over a hundred years ago. The chimneys were built of stone from Crossville, hauled in by mule wagons, and then hand cut and placed.  The back porch was made from stones taken from the kitchen chimney.

 

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